He was the brother of James, who presided at the Jerusalem Council and wrote the epistle of James, and was the half-brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3).

The Perversion within the Church

[Verse 4 ] For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [AMP]

Jude talks about APOSTASY, basically a turning away from the Faith. We learn that they are sneaky, ungodly and pervert the Grace of Jesus. They deny that Jesus is Master and Lord.

And they stand condemned!

The media today is influencing the church.

The politically correct police are on high alert! You can mention God as long as you don’t mention His absolute truth. You can mention Jesus as long as He was just a good teacher. Pastors are required to be politically correct rather than biblically correct to be accepted. The trend in churches today is to be welcoming, but primarily affirming. Sermons are designed to tickle the ear and not convict the heart.

God help us!

It’s sobering and it makes me sad to think of those I know who could very well fall into this category of being apostate. Understand the APOSTASY is false teaching, its false living. It is the Christian form of hypocrisy. It’s saying you are a Christian but in truth, you are not. Your action, your attitude, bear the lies that come out of your mouth.

So Jude gives a WARNING to the apostates, the enemy of the TRUE CHURCH.

He begins by giving us some examples of people who are exposed to the truth, to the grace, and totally reject it and face eternal punishment. It truly squeezed my heart when rereading this passage of scripture because there are many I know today that could very well experience this punishment.

The LORD delivers people from bondage, but sometimes people fall back.

One Example: God’s chosen nation (vs. 5)

[5] “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the LORD at one time delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” [NIV]

Jude says here that Jesus (more accurately translated LORD) saved a people in the land of Egypt. That is the Hebrew people, the future nation of Israel.

We see here that even ANGELS, heavenly beings, are subject to the great day of JUDGMENT.

Many commentators take this verse and its parallel in 2 Peter 2:4 to be a reference to the primordial fall in the bible of wicked angels under the leadership of Lucifer. This creates somewhat of a dilemma. Clearly, not all the dethroned angels are “cast into hell and committed to pits of DARKNESS”, reserved for judgment as Peter writes. This same Peter says that Satan is still somewhat loose, and prowls around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).

The simplest way to resolve this questioning is to take the “angels” in this passage of Jude is referenced to the Godly line of Seth in the Bible; the “sons of God.”

The Background of the “sons of God” in Genesis 6.

The angels portrayed here forsook what God ordained them to do. They chose their own thing! [i.e. They became their own god.]

Numerous interpretations I have read suggested that the “sons of God” were fallen, angels who married earthly women and produced children…Giants in the land, although how “angels” could intermarry has never been explained. Jesus clearly states that angels don’t marry (Matthew 22:30), and there’s no evidence that angels have gender or genitalia. A few have suggested that “demon-possed men.”as an alternative theory, but this is still rather unsatisfactory, and neither of these interpretations offers anything of relevance to the historical evidence of Genesis6. [See footnote [ii] ].

The result was eternal punishment.

They forsook being in God’s presence to follow their own path.

Bringing this all back to Jude, those who are APOSTATE are the ones who choose to be their own God.

I believe that the biggest ACT OF APOSTASY in our day is….you are a Christian, continuing to live like the world, or even worse than the world! This type of SIN denies Lordship over one’s life. It cheapens the GRACE that believers are supposed to live under.

If my understanding of the passage of Scripture is right, then that type of living is APOSTASY; to be judged by God just like the Hebrew people in the wilderness, just like the angels who denied their rightful place, just like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The LORD delivers people from bondage today as He did when the Hebrews were delivered out of Egypt from bondage. But sometimes people fall back into bondage. We’ve all probably done this, but Jude lists some who didn’t and was punished.

Angels who left home.

People who left morality behind.

Whatever it is, God can deliver us!

BUT…but we must not turn back.

No Turning Back into our old ways will get us into trouble every time. And for some people, it could mean eternal trouble.

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

When I study and meditate on God’s Word through the Scriptures, I love to look at bible verses in different translations. It gives on perspective. Although in my library, I am fortunate to possess many different translations to compare, I also use the Internet to broaden my search, sites such as Bible Gateway or Bible Hub.

So in saying, let me give you a translation, of the same verse, from the Weymouth New Testament:

Romans 5:17 (WNT):

“For if, through the transgression of the one individual Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God’s overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reignas kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ.”

THE IMPACT OF GOD’S WORD:

The apostle Paul, who wrote the Letter to the Roman church–inspired by the Holy Spirit–gives us a comparative look:

1. The CONDEMNING ACT of Adam–

2. The REDEMPTIVE ACT of Christ Jesus.

Adams sin (transgression), brought universal death to all of mankind (Romans 3:10, 23)when he accepted Satan’s lie: “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

However, Jesus’ sacrifice brought salvation to those who believe (John 3:16). Jesus’ one act of redemption was immeasurably greater than Adam’s one-act of condemnation.

HOW MUCH IS “ABUNDANCE”?

Romans 5:17 b…all the more shall those who receive God’s abundance of grace…

Did we get just enough to get by when we were saved by believing in Jesus? Is that all there is? Did we get just a teacup full of “grace”?

As some of you who follow my blog know, my favorite verse in the New Testament is John 10:10:

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I [JESUS] came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” [Amplified Bible]

Having “ABUNDANCE”till it overflows!

Given without a hitch, without strings attached, without measurement. It’s like the Eveready Battery commercial: It keeps on giving every moment of the day throughout our entire lives!

Unlike Adam’s Act In Genesis…

Christ’s Act–has and will–accomplish exactly what He intended. He called us as Christians TO “REIGN!” :That is a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful, has authority.

GOD’S ORIGINAL PLAN:

Genesis 1:27, 28, 30 b:

[ 27] “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [28] And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion (authority, dominance, power) over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. [30] –to everything in which there is the breath of life–“

“Reigning in Life” (Romans 5:17):

Living like Kings

The word “REIGN” here, means to reign in life as a KING (not just in the masculine sense), to have kingly rule…possesskingly dominion as God originally intended before Adam’s act

Reign in circumstances…

Based on the authority of God’s Word, you are destined to “reign in life” as a king; “kingly dominion” over all your challenges and circumstances. The time has come for us to stop “ABDICATING” our right to rule in life! Remember, God has positioned us through His Son, to reign!

Ephesians 2:4-6 (AMP):

[4] But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us. [5] Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are SAVED (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). [6] And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the anointed One).

NOTICE VERSE 4:

But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, because of His great LOVE with which He loves us; yet we were Spiritually Dead, but God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love…

SALVATION IS FOR GOD’S GLORY!

GOD took you and I who were Spiritually Dead, gave us His boundless mercy and love.

Remember, the POWER that raises the BELIEVER out of death, is the same POWER that brought you to life and it’s the same POWER that energizes every aspect of our Christian living–our circumstances, our trials, our doubts.

ALSO VERSE 6:

When we are SAVED from eternal death, we are raised up together; made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Your physical body is still on earth, but your spiritual body…you get the picture here I hope.

The tense of “RAISED” and “MADE” indicates that these are immediate and direct results of SALVATION!

Verse 6says, in the HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus. It is the supernatural realmwhere God reigns.

LIVING IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM:

The SPIRITUAL is as real as the PHYSICAL world–BUT…it is different because it cannot be seen and tested. Though the body itself is in the PHYSICAL REALM, the life within the body comes from the spirit. [i] –See footnotes.

The Bible states clearly, we are to REIGN in life through Christ Jesus and… RECEIVING two important things from Him:

1. The ABUNDANCE of Grace

2. The GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS(He declared you “righteous” at the Cross).

Worldly Thinking By Man–

Man’s thinking goes like this: For God to BLESS him/her, he needs to DESERVE, EARN and MERIT God’s favor. Man thinks that God’s blessingsare based on his performance and good works.

God’s Way–

God’s way isn’t about ACHIEVING, but about RECEIVING! (We are to receive!).

The WORLD’S SYSTEM Regarding SUCCESS in Life–

The SYSTEM is driven into our heads from the time we are children, through the teenage years, and emphasized through our working years. All built on SELF EFFORT and DILIGENCE.

How many times did my parents advise and direct my paths? “Quit being a procrastinator…a lazy teenager!” Continue with your schooling; with the idea of being successful in life. Now that IS good advice, don’t get me wrong. However, a stigma can sometimes arise in a impressible child growing up: “If I keep at this thing…due diligence will lead to my success!” We can be sometimes find ourselves on the deserted island of “I” (I did it).

We are driven to “do, do, do,” forgetting that Christianity is actually “done, done, done.” [ii] See Footnotes.

The Question of “CHAIRS” and “SITTING DOWN”:

I’m a very visual person when reading and studying God’s Word and the Bible can certainly give us a picture of the believer, resting in finished and completed work of JESUS.

Hebrews 10:12, 14:

[12] “Whereas this One [Christ], after He had offered a single sacrifice for our sins [that shall avail] for ALL TIME, sat down at the right hand of God.”

[14] “For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.”

VERSE 14 once more–

DECLARINGthat you werePERFECTED FOREVER!

Our works, self-efforts, will, and can rob us of REIGNING in life by His grace. You cannot earn your SALVATION, your HEALING, your FINANCIAL breakthrough by your own efforts.

GOD has called the REDEEMED to REIGN!

Revelation 1:6 (Young’s Literal Translation):

6 and did make us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him [is] glory and the power to the ages of the ages! Amen.

So if that’s you, reach out to Him in your spirit and RECEIVE your DESTINY…your AUTHORITY! How do you reach out?

YOU PRAY…Lord, your Word is true and I believe it! I’m tired of trying to be worthy in your eyes and everyone elses. I was made worthy when your Son’s blood was shed on the Cross for my sins. I am the REDEEMED in Christ. I am worthy to RECEIVE the gift of kingship and to receive my destiny. Have Your Holy Spirit empower me to take dominion over my life. In JESUS’ Name I pray. AMEN.

Footnotes and Photos:

Photo Inserts: Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Courtesy of Starpulse.com and Disney Productions & Foto Search.

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I am a strong believer in God's Word. John 18:37 JESUS "came into the world to bear witness to the TRUTH". Then He goes on to say that "Everyone who is of the TRUTH [the WORD] hears and listens to My voice." Since I am a friend of the TRUTH and belong to the TRUTH, I hear His voice through the Spirit of Truth; the Holy Spirit. That is the reason I became the WORD detective. To share the TRUTH I find in the Word. Through my experiences as a believer and to find results in our everyday circumstances. I am a TRUTH-SEEKER!